Mr. Nicolas Schmit:

We are all aware that training and lifelong learning have become more important because technology in all areas is changing and jobs are changing. Therefore, this is an objective, which I consider to be a realistic one, because there are countries achieving it. They are the better-performing ones in the labour market, in innovation and at the level of companies. The 60% is an average. The countries at 20% will not achieve 60%, which is the reason we ask countries now to make proposals for their national plan. Ireland has proposed 64%, so it is above the average. It is not starting tomorrow but in 2030, so countries have some time to do it. It will cost money, which has to be shared between companies and public finance, and sometimes even people themselves. We all know that people are more reluctant to do it themselves. That is why we have proposed the idea of some kind of individual learning account where people have money to invest in their own training. It is to make them aware that training is important for their professional career. It is about their professional career, which is no longer linear. It might change a lot. We must incentivise people to invest.

It is realistic that there is a need for effort. The point is that many people who do not get this kind of training are among those who already have a low level of training. Very often, their jobs might be in danger. The approach is that we also have to bring in those people, the ones who do not get the training because they are not well trained. It is a vicious circle. This is a challenge for everybody, but some member states, for instance Denmark, are above 60%.